Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-23
PURIFY THE BALLOT.
In 1t Lies the Welfare of the People and
the Nation.


EDS. REcoRD-U UNION: II is something to
be an American citizen, and am proud to
know that distinction is mine, although
belonging to sex that in this great, free,
enlightened country is politically pro-
scribed. With such an extensive and fruit
full domain as is ours, with history that
is unsurpassed in the greatness and nobility
of its character, with such an array of IL
lustrious names-namcs that have become
famous in all the pursuits wherein fame
may be won-and With Government so
beneficent that it is possible tor the child of
humble and obscure parentage to mount
the ladder tina. leads to distinction until he
reaches the topmost round on equal loot
ing with fortunes favorite, and where such
hearty encouragement is given every
worthy effort, We can proudly say it is a
magnificent inheritance into which we have
fallen.
Never was there a people who had so
good reasons for an ardent love of country
"a pure and lofty patriotism. Let us,
then, guard this inheritance well, preserve
it from the desecrating touch of the de-
spoiler. This priceless legacy was handed
down to us by our fathers, pure and I'M
defiled. Have we kept it SO? | fear not.
When q representative of the people of
this great State will rise up in legislative
hall and boldly declare that he can take q
sack and go into county at election time,
| among the =" hungry horde of office-seekers
and pot-house politicians, and carry any
measure he desired, ETC." when voters are
publicly bought and sold; when men not
purchasable are threatened with political
ostracism if they dare to vote in accord
ance with their honest convictions, | think
it is time to call halt.
Our national institutions were obtained
at very great cost-how much they cost let
the hundreds of thousands of desolated
homes tell but they are worth the price
paid, and cannot be too yigilantly guarded,
too resolutely defended.
1t is the duty of every citizen-every
patriot, to guard and preserve the purity of
the ballot and not to wink at (as was done
during the last campaign the bold and
open traffic in votes. The elective fran
chise, when rightly made use of, is price
less gift but when the possessor Of this
priceless boon barriers it away for a few
paltry dollars or few drinks of whisky,
he becomes unworthy to exercise the priv
ilege and ought to be politically prescribed,
| along with women, although |, for one,
would not be proud of their company.
Political power in the hands of the iguor-
ant and corrupt is instrumental of great
harm and endangers the liberties OF the
people by defeating their will. 1t should
never be intrusted to ignorant or incom-
petent hands, but to persons of established
probity rather than political spoilers, and
all sins against the ballot should be rigidly
punished. If our law makers would pay a
little attention 10 the revision of our cleo
ton laws, so as to restore the elective frar-
chise to us in all its pristine purity, and
less to the magnificent game of grab that
many of them are playing at, il would re-
dound greatly to their credit.
WINNIE WILDWOOD.